Comfrey has long been used to treat various maladies. It was used to treat lung problems during the Black Death epidemic that wiped out about half the population of Europe during the middle ages. While it's hard to pinpoint the precise healing factor in comfrey, it does contain a substance called allantoin, which is known to speed the replacement of cells in the body, which would accelerate healing. Besides allantoin, confrey also contains steroidal saponins, tannins, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The latter are problematic, since they are highly toxic to the liver, and can cause liver failure. The FDA issued a warning against the ingestion of comfrey herbal products in 2001. Comfrey also contains symphytine, which is a carcinogen in rats. For these reasons, comfrey should never be ingested orally. But used topically, it may do wonders for lower back pain. If you opt to try using the topical version(which is sold on various Internet web sites, and isn't expensive) ensure that you have no open cuts or wounds wherever you apply the ointment. I plan to try it myself, and hopefully it will supply a measure a relief to this chronic lower back pain that I have. And heck, if it's a placebo effect that knocks out the pain, that's fine by me.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Is Comfrey Ointment an Effective Lower Back Pain Reliever? by Jerry Brainum
Lower back problems plague many active people. As I write this, my lower back is as tight as a vise, mainly due to a chronic case of sciatica. When the pain gets too intense, I have to resort to using NSAID's, such as ibuprofen, which I am not crazy about since they can cause long-term toxicity, particularly to the kidneys. I'm always on the lookout for natural remedies that may help alleviate lower back pain. The current issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine (2010;44:637-41) contains a study in which a topical preparation of an herb-derived comfrey root extract was compared to a placebo in the treatment of upper and lower back pain. The study featured a scientifically acceptable double-blind, placebo-controlled design, and featured 120 patients who were provided with either a placebo ointment, or a comfrey root ointment three times a day for four visits. The results showed a 95.2% decrease in pain in those who used the comfrey extract ointment versus a 37.8% drop in pain in those on the placebo. More importantly, pain decreased significantly in those who applied the comfrey ointment in only one hour.
Comfrey has long been used to treat various maladies. It was used to treat lung problems during the Black Death epidemic that wiped out about half the population of Europe during the middle ages. While it's hard to pinpoint the precise healing factor in comfrey, it does contain a substance called allantoin, which is known to speed the replacement of cells in the body, which would accelerate healing. Besides allantoin, confrey also contains steroidal saponins, tannins, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The latter are problematic, since they are highly toxic to the liver, and can cause liver failure. The FDA issued a warning against the ingestion of comfrey herbal products in 2001. Comfrey also contains symphytine, which is a carcinogen in rats. For these reasons, comfrey should never be ingested orally. But used topically, it may do wonders for lower back pain. If you opt to try using the topical version(which is sold on various Internet web sites, and isn't expensive) ensure that you have no open cuts or wounds wherever you apply the ointment. I plan to try it myself, and hopefully it will supply a measure a relief to this chronic lower back pain that I have. And heck, if it's a placebo effect that knocks out the pain, that's fine by me.
Comfrey has long been used to treat various maladies. It was used to treat lung problems during the Black Death epidemic that wiped out about half the population of Europe during the middle ages. While it's hard to pinpoint the precise healing factor in comfrey, it does contain a substance called allantoin, which is known to speed the replacement of cells in the body, which would accelerate healing. Besides allantoin, confrey also contains steroidal saponins, tannins, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The latter are problematic, since they are highly toxic to the liver, and can cause liver failure. The FDA issued a warning against the ingestion of comfrey herbal products in 2001. Comfrey also contains symphytine, which is a carcinogen in rats. For these reasons, comfrey should never be ingested orally. But used topically, it may do wonders for lower back pain. If you opt to try using the topical version(which is sold on various Internet web sites, and isn't expensive) ensure that you have no open cuts or wounds wherever you apply the ointment. I plan to try it myself, and hopefully it will supply a measure a relief to this chronic lower back pain that I have. And heck, if it's a placebo effect that knocks out the pain, that's fine by me.
Friday, June 25, 2010
The red wine cure continues by Jerry Brainum
Resveratrol (RES) is a hot topic in medicine and among those interested in life extension. Resveratrol is a polyphenol found naturally in grapes, blueberries, peanuts, and most notably, red wine.Until recently, most of the healthy attributes of red wine had been ascribed to its content of resveratrol. Indeed, the much heralded "French Paradox," was thought to be due to the French custom of consuming significant amounts of red wine. In return, the French show lower rates of cardiovascular disease, despite their high fat diets. More recent research, however, shows that the likely benefits of red wine accrue from its content of not only resveratrol, but also various other polyphenols that may impart important antioxidant benefits. Some of these substances also boost nitric oxide synthesis in blood vessels, which offers lower blood pressure protection.
Resveratrol began attracting a cult following on the Internet after various animal studies showed that it seemed to offer significant health and life extension benefits. One particularly exciting finding was that resveratrol appeared to boost the activity of a protein called SIRT-1, which offers cellular protection, and is thought to be one of the key mechanisms involved in the longevity-extending effects of caloric restriction. But more recent studies have cast doubt on the effects of resveratrol on SIRT-1. But these newer studies haven't dissuaded numerous Internet resveratrol groupies, who voluntarily ingest doses of resveratrol that they think are comparable to that provided to lab animals in resveratrol studies. Such doses often are the equivalent of consuming thousands of bottles of red wine. The problem here is that thus far, the optimal dosage of resveratrol in relation to health promotion hasn't been established. In addition, absorption studies of resveratrol shows that it's converted to conjugate forms in the liver after only 14 minutes following oral ingestion. These converted forms of resveratrol circulate for 9 hours in the blood, but no one yet knows if they provide any active biological activity in the human body.
Other studies have hinted at possible dangers involved in overdosing on resveratrol. One study showed that while low amounts of resveratrol offered heart protection during heart attacks, using large doses increased heart damage under such conditions. Resveratrol also chelates and helps to remove the trace mineral copper from the body. While unbound copper in the body is highly prone to oxidation, and has been implicated in the onset of various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, small amounts are essential to health. A lack of sufficient copper interferes with the function of enzymes needed for production of the connective tissue protein, collagen. This could explain the frequent reports of joint pains in those who use high doses of resveratrol. In a worst-case scenario, a lack of copper can lead to the breakdown of the aorta, the large artery leading from the heart. A more recent study shows that resveratrol acts as an antagonist to estrogen receptor-A. While this attribute of resveratrol explains its presence in bodybuilding supplements aimed at lowering elevated estrogen levels, it also means that resveratrol blocks the blood vessel protection produced by estrogen. This could eventually lead to cardiovascular disease.
Two other recent studies, however, show some exciting possible health benefits offered by resveratrol. One study found that resveratrol blocked a pathological pathway called angiogenesis in the eyes. This involves the overproduction of blood vessels in the eyes that can lead to blindness, and is a common problem in uncontrolled diabetes, in addition to fostering the spread of cancer in the body, and cardiovascular disease. The other study found that resveratrol has the mysterious ability to specifically target abnormal protein formations in the brain that cause Alzheimer's disease. It somehow doesn't affect normal brain proteins, but works to undue the damage to certain abnormal brain proteins that result in Alzheimer's. The question here is whether sufficient resveratrol can bypass the formidable brain/blood barrier following oral ingestion. But the mere fact that it seems to work as a magic bullet against the primary pathology underlying Alzheimer's is exciting news, particularly when you realize that in the next few years the incidence of Alzheimer's is expected to rise.
Should you consider taking resveratrol now? According to a another recent study, just 40 milligrams of resveratrol provided significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Based on that, taking smaller doses, up to about 400 milligrams daily, is likely safe. But precisely how much will be used by the body is still anyone's guess
Resveratrol began attracting a cult following on the Internet after various animal studies showed that it seemed to offer significant health and life extension benefits. One particularly exciting finding was that resveratrol appeared to boost the activity of a protein called SIRT-1, which offers cellular protection, and is thought to be one of the key mechanisms involved in the longevity-extending effects of caloric restriction. But more recent studies have cast doubt on the effects of resveratrol on SIRT-1. But these newer studies haven't dissuaded numerous Internet resveratrol groupies, who voluntarily ingest doses of resveratrol that they think are comparable to that provided to lab animals in resveratrol studies. Such doses often are the equivalent of consuming thousands of bottles of red wine. The problem here is that thus far, the optimal dosage of resveratrol in relation to health promotion hasn't been established. In addition, absorption studies of resveratrol shows that it's converted to conjugate forms in the liver after only 14 minutes following oral ingestion. These converted forms of resveratrol circulate for 9 hours in the blood, but no one yet knows if they provide any active biological activity in the human body.
Other studies have hinted at possible dangers involved in overdosing on resveratrol. One study showed that while low amounts of resveratrol offered heart protection during heart attacks, using large doses increased heart damage under such conditions. Resveratrol also chelates and helps to remove the trace mineral copper from the body. While unbound copper in the body is highly prone to oxidation, and has been implicated in the onset of various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, small amounts are essential to health. A lack of sufficient copper interferes with the function of enzymes needed for production of the connective tissue protein, collagen. This could explain the frequent reports of joint pains in those who use high doses of resveratrol. In a worst-case scenario, a lack of copper can lead to the breakdown of the aorta, the large artery leading from the heart. A more recent study shows that resveratrol acts as an antagonist to estrogen receptor-A. While this attribute of resveratrol explains its presence in bodybuilding supplements aimed at lowering elevated estrogen levels, it also means that resveratrol blocks the blood vessel protection produced by estrogen. This could eventually lead to cardiovascular disease.
Two other recent studies, however, show some exciting possible health benefits offered by resveratrol. One study found that resveratrol blocked a pathological pathway called angiogenesis in the eyes. This involves the overproduction of blood vessels in the eyes that can lead to blindness, and is a common problem in uncontrolled diabetes, in addition to fostering the spread of cancer in the body, and cardiovascular disease. The other study found that resveratrol has the mysterious ability to specifically target abnormal protein formations in the brain that cause Alzheimer's disease. It somehow doesn't affect normal brain proteins, but works to undue the damage to certain abnormal brain proteins that result in Alzheimer's. The question here is whether sufficient resveratrol can bypass the formidable brain/blood barrier following oral ingestion. But the mere fact that it seems to work as a magic bullet against the primary pathology underlying Alzheimer's is exciting news, particularly when you realize that in the next few years the incidence of Alzheimer's is expected to rise.
Should you consider taking resveratrol now? According to a another recent study, just 40 milligrams of resveratrol provided significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Based on that, taking smaller doses, up to about 400 milligrams daily, is likely safe. But precisely how much will be used by the body is still anyone's guess
©,2013 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited
Have you been ripped off by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.
The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.
See Jerry's book at http://www.jerrybrainum.com
Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The most promising antioxidant supplement to date? by Jerry Brainum
"The most promising antioxidant supplement investigated to date," is how the Mannatech corporation describes its Ambrotose AO (AAO) food supplement. One measure of antioxidant activity is known as the "ORAC" or oxygen radical absorbance capacity test. This tests the abiliity of specific foods or nutrients to soak up or neutralize potentially noxious byproducts of oxygen metabolism called free radicals. While free radicals do play some vital roles in human metabolism, in excess they are associated with most degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and brain disorders, including Alzheimer's disease.The body has a built-in antioxidant system that blunts the onslaught of excess free radicals, but with age this defense system tends to decline. One way to boost antioxidant activity is to consume foods rich in nutrients that provide antioxidant activity. The best foods for this purpose are fruits and vegetables, which explains why such foods are often recommended for health purposes.
But one study, in which subjects increased their fruit and vegetable intake from five servings a day to ten servings a day resulted in only a 13% rise in ORAC levels. On the other hand, some fruits and vegetables are far more potent in their antioxidant activity than others, and it isn't clear what types of fruits and vegetable were consumed in this study. Strawberries alone boost ORAC by 13%, spinach boosts it by 28.%.Consuming 100 grams of blueberry powder, considered one of the better antioxidant sources, results in a 16% rise in ORAC. Ingesting 1,250 milligrams of vitamin C produces a 23% rise in ORAC, yet studies that examined combinations of various dietary antioxidants resulted in no change in ORAC levels. Studies commissioned by the Mannatech Corporation of its Ambrotose product have resulted in a 37.4% rise in ORAC with ingestion of 2 capsules, and a 36% rise in another study that provided four capsules of the product.
So what's in Ambrotose AO that makes it so special? The product contains 18 milligrams of vitamin E as mixed tocopherols, which is an insignificant amount. It also contains the following: 113 milligrams of an antioxidant blend, including quercetin, grape skin extract, green tea extract, Australian bush plum powder (plums rate high in ORAC); 331 milligrams of a proprietary (meaning no precise doses are provided) formula consisting of plant polysaccharides, fruits and vegetables powders. In the company literature provided by Mannatech, the emphasis is placed on the inclusion of the plant polysaccarides, which are glycoproteins, or proteins bonded with carbohydrate. These substances are controversial, and many scientists who study them say that they are not digested in humans because we lack the requisite enzymes to do so. As such, they tend to provide little health benefit, but do increase flatulence. On the other hand, similar compounds in certain mushrooms do provide potent immune-enhancing qualities.
Mannatech is a Texas-based company founded in 1993. It is a multi-level marketing company that operates in 16 countries worldwide. It employs 570,000 sales associates, which is a euphemism for those who aren't paid well (Wal-Mart uses the same term to describe its indentured servants known as "workers.").Similarly to other multi-level marketing companies, Mannatech has a shady history. It was the target of a class-action lawsuit in 2005, and was also investigated by the Texas Attorney-general in 2007. The company sells 24 products, with Ambrotose being the flagship product. Just as John D Rockefeller created charitable foundations to deflect his cutthroat business practices, Mannatech has a non-profit foundation called "MannaRelief"that provides free supplements to 83,000 orphans in 80 countries. Personally, I would rather see them provide food and shelter to these children.
But there is a take home message to be learned from the effects provided by Ambrotose AO. The efficacy of the supplement is based on the inclusion of a wide variety of antioxidants. Studies that show no effects from antioxidants usually involve providing only one or two antioxidant nutrients. But nature--and the human body--doesn't work like that, and responds only to a comprehensive array of nutrients. Keep that in mind when you read the latest results of a lack of benefits found with any particular nutrient.
But one study, in which subjects increased their fruit and vegetable intake from five servings a day to ten servings a day resulted in only a 13% rise in ORAC levels. On the other hand, some fruits and vegetables are far more potent in their antioxidant activity than others, and it isn't clear what types of fruits and vegetable were consumed in this study. Strawberries alone boost ORAC by 13%, spinach boosts it by 28.%.Consuming 100 grams of blueberry powder, considered one of the better antioxidant sources, results in a 16% rise in ORAC. Ingesting 1,250 milligrams of vitamin C produces a 23% rise in ORAC, yet studies that examined combinations of various dietary antioxidants resulted in no change in ORAC levels. Studies commissioned by the Mannatech Corporation of its Ambrotose product have resulted in a 37.4% rise in ORAC with ingestion of 2 capsules, and a 36% rise in another study that provided four capsules of the product.
So what's in Ambrotose AO that makes it so special? The product contains 18 milligrams of vitamin E as mixed tocopherols, which is an insignificant amount. It also contains the following: 113 milligrams of an antioxidant blend, including quercetin, grape skin extract, green tea extract, Australian bush plum powder (plums rate high in ORAC); 331 milligrams of a proprietary (meaning no precise doses are provided) formula consisting of plant polysaccharides, fruits and vegetables powders. In the company literature provided by Mannatech, the emphasis is placed on the inclusion of the plant polysaccarides, which are glycoproteins, or proteins bonded with carbohydrate. These substances are controversial, and many scientists who study them say that they are not digested in humans because we lack the requisite enzymes to do so. As such, they tend to provide little health benefit, but do increase flatulence. On the other hand, similar compounds in certain mushrooms do provide potent immune-enhancing qualities.
Mannatech is a Texas-based company founded in 1993. It is a multi-level marketing company that operates in 16 countries worldwide. It employs 570,000 sales associates, which is a euphemism for those who aren't paid well (Wal-Mart uses the same term to describe its indentured servants known as "workers.").Similarly to other multi-level marketing companies, Mannatech has a shady history. It was the target of a class-action lawsuit in 2005, and was also investigated by the Texas Attorney-general in 2007. The company sells 24 products, with Ambrotose being the flagship product. Just as John D Rockefeller created charitable foundations to deflect his cutthroat business practices, Mannatech has a non-profit foundation called "MannaRelief"that provides free supplements to 83,000 orphans in 80 countries. Personally, I would rather see them provide food and shelter to these children.
But there is a take home message to be learned from the effects provided by Ambrotose AO. The efficacy of the supplement is based on the inclusion of a wide variety of antioxidants. Studies that show no effects from antioxidants usually involve providing only one or two antioxidant nutrients. But nature--and the human body--doesn't work like that, and responds only to a comprehensive array of nutrients. Keep that in mind when you read the latest results of a lack of benefits found with any particular nutrient.
©,2013 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited
Have you been ripped off by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.
The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.
See Jerry's book at http://www.jerrybrainum.com
Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Apigenin can make you a STAR! By Jerry Brainum
Apigenin is probably the most interesting nutrient that you've never heard of. Apigenin is a flavonoid, and similarly to other flavinoids, apigenin is found mainly in various fruits and vegetables, as well as several types of herbs. Specifically, foods containing significant amounts of apigenin include parsley,thyme, onions, apples, grapes, peppermint, red wine, and chamomile. Chamomile tea has long been a folk remedy for dealing with stress and anxiety, and it turns out that the active ingredient in chamomile is likely apigenin. Several animal studies show that apigenin modulates GABA receptors in the brain. This is significant because GABA is the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, which means that when it's stimulated, you feel relaxed. In fact, most drug-based sleeping pills work by also interacting with GABA receptors in the brain. But apigenin has the notable advantage over drugs in that it provides relaxation effects minus sedation. It's also a natural anti-depressant. The relaxation effects attributed to red wine and lemon balm may also be from their content of apigenin,although the alcohol content of red wine also plays a role in this effect. Celery is often recommended as a natural way to help lower elevated blood pressure. Celery is rich in apigenin, again thought to be the active ingredient for this effect, too.
Apigenin also offers anti-inflammatory effects. One way that it does this is by inhibiting an enzyme called COX-2 that converts arachidonic acid, a fatty acid, into eicosanoids that are the direct cause of some types of pain and inflammation. Most commerical analgesics, such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work through the same mechanism,although apigenin doesn't produce the side effects of these drugs, including ulcers, cardiovascular disease, and possible kidney failure with long-term, high dose, usage. Since cancer has an inflammatory component, it's not surprising that apigenin has been shown in several studies, mostly involving animals, to prevent several types of cancer. These include cancers of the lungs, ovaries,prostate, thyroid, and pancreas. Apigenin also blocks the activity of the HER-2 gene, which promotes breast cancer in many women. Emerging studies show that apigenin can forestall the spread of malignant melanoma, the most fatal type of skin cancer, by both promoting the suicide (apoptosis) of cancer cells, and also through inhibiting the development of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) that tumor cells require to spread throughout the body, or metastasize.Many cancers start as a result of oxidative damage to cellular DNA, an effect also blocked by apigenin. If that wasn't enough, apigenin increases the activity of the P53 tumor suppressor protein that destroys tumors in the body. Some studies show that when provided as an adjunctive to chemotherapy, apigenin improves the ability of chemo agents to destroy cancer cells. Prostate cancer is promoted by insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF-1), but apigenin blocks this stimulation by increasing the production of the primary protein binder of IGF-1, which renders it harmless. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, you'll like the fact that apigenin lowers levels of an immune cell called immunoglobulin-E that plays a central role in the onset of both allergies and asthma.
Bodybuilders would find apigenin useful because it's a natural aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase is the enzyme that converts androgens, including testosterone, into estrogen. But the most interesting aspect of apigenin in relation to testosterone is shown in an upcoming study. Testosterone levels drop in most men beginning at about age 40. While there are various theories as to the cause of this hormonal decline, one plausible theory relates the drop in testosterone to a decrease of a protein synthesized in the testes, and wherever else steroid hormones are made in the body, including the brain and adrenal glands. This protein is called the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein or StAR. What StAR does is transport cholesterol, which is the raw material from which all steroid hormones are produced from, including testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol, from the outer mitochondrial membrane in cells to the inner membrane, where production of the hormones begins. Cholesterol requires the StAR transport protein because it cannot penetrate the inner mitochondrial cell membrane by itself; it must be ferried or transported into the cell. The production of StAR is stimulated by lutenizing hormone (LH) secreted from the anterior pituitary gland. StAR is considered the rate-limiting step in steroid hormone synthesis, since without the raw material provided by cholesterol, no hormones can be made.
The synthesis of StAR is known to decline with age,and many scientists think this may be the root cause of the age-related lowering of testosterone levels. Alcohol also blocks the activity of StAR, which explains why drinking too much booze can lower testosterone levels in men. In the new study, isolated mouse cells from the Leydig cells of the testes, where testosterone is primarily synthesized, were incubated with apigenin. Doing this increased the activity of cyclic AMP, which kick starts steroid synthesis, as well as StAR. Apparently, apigenin can boost the gene expression of StAR. Too much COX-2 is also thought to play a role in declining testosterone levels, and apigenin blocked this effect, too. In so doing, apigenin inhibited the activity of another protein (DAX-1) that interferes with StAR activity in the testes. When this protein is blocked, the sensitivity of the testes cells to StAR increases dramatically, which in turn significantly increases the production of testosterone. What this means in simple terms, is that apigenin may provide a natural antidote to the problem of decreased testosterone production as a result of aging. What remains to be seen is whether this process works as well in intact human Leydig cells as it does in isolated mouse cells exposed to large amounts of apigenin. But considering that apigenin also blocks aromatase, I would suspect that apigenin shows good potential to be a useful antiaging supplement.
Lia, W, et al. Effects of apigenin on steroidogenesis and steroidogenic acute regulatory gene expression in mouse Leydig cells.J Nutr Biochem 2010;In press.
©,2015 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited
Apigenin also offers anti-inflammatory effects. One way that it does this is by inhibiting an enzyme called COX-2 that converts arachidonic acid, a fatty acid, into eicosanoids that are the direct cause of some types of pain and inflammation. Most commerical analgesics, such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work through the same mechanism,although apigenin doesn't produce the side effects of these drugs, including ulcers, cardiovascular disease, and possible kidney failure with long-term, high dose, usage. Since cancer has an inflammatory component, it's not surprising that apigenin has been shown in several studies, mostly involving animals, to prevent several types of cancer. These include cancers of the lungs, ovaries,prostate, thyroid, and pancreas. Apigenin also blocks the activity of the HER-2 gene, which promotes breast cancer in many women. Emerging studies show that apigenin can forestall the spread of malignant melanoma, the most fatal type of skin cancer, by both promoting the suicide (apoptosis) of cancer cells, and also through inhibiting the development of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) that tumor cells require to spread throughout the body, or metastasize.Many cancers start as a result of oxidative damage to cellular DNA, an effect also blocked by apigenin. If that wasn't enough, apigenin increases the activity of the P53 tumor suppressor protein that destroys tumors in the body. Some studies show that when provided as an adjunctive to chemotherapy, apigenin improves the ability of chemo agents to destroy cancer cells. Prostate cancer is promoted by insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF-1), but apigenin blocks this stimulation by increasing the production of the primary protein binder of IGF-1, which renders it harmless. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, you'll like the fact that apigenin lowers levels of an immune cell called immunoglobulin-E that plays a central role in the onset of both allergies and asthma.
Bodybuilders would find apigenin useful because it's a natural aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase is the enzyme that converts androgens, including testosterone, into estrogen. But the most interesting aspect of apigenin in relation to testosterone is shown in an upcoming study. Testosterone levels drop in most men beginning at about age 40. While there are various theories as to the cause of this hormonal decline, one plausible theory relates the drop in testosterone to a decrease of a protein synthesized in the testes, and wherever else steroid hormones are made in the body, including the brain and adrenal glands. This protein is called the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein or StAR. What StAR does is transport cholesterol, which is the raw material from which all steroid hormones are produced from, including testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol, from the outer mitochondrial membrane in cells to the inner membrane, where production of the hormones begins. Cholesterol requires the StAR transport protein because it cannot penetrate the inner mitochondrial cell membrane by itself; it must be ferried or transported into the cell. The production of StAR is stimulated by lutenizing hormone (LH) secreted from the anterior pituitary gland. StAR is considered the rate-limiting step in steroid hormone synthesis, since without the raw material provided by cholesterol, no hormones can be made.
The synthesis of StAR is known to decline with age,and many scientists think this may be the root cause of the age-related lowering of testosterone levels. Alcohol also blocks the activity of StAR, which explains why drinking too much booze can lower testosterone levels in men. In the new study, isolated mouse cells from the Leydig cells of the testes, where testosterone is primarily synthesized, were incubated with apigenin. Doing this increased the activity of cyclic AMP, which kick starts steroid synthesis, as well as StAR. Apparently, apigenin can boost the gene expression of StAR. Too much COX-2 is also thought to play a role in declining testosterone levels, and apigenin blocked this effect, too. In so doing, apigenin inhibited the activity of another protein (DAX-1) that interferes with StAR activity in the testes. When this protein is blocked, the sensitivity of the testes cells to StAR increases dramatically, which in turn significantly increases the production of testosterone. What this means in simple terms, is that apigenin may provide a natural antidote to the problem of decreased testosterone production as a result of aging. What remains to be seen is whether this process works as well in intact human Leydig cells as it does in isolated mouse cells exposed to large amounts of apigenin. But considering that apigenin also blocks aromatase, I would suspect that apigenin shows good potential to be a useful antiaging supplement.
Lia, W, et al. Effects of apigenin on steroidogenesis and steroidogenic acute regulatory gene expression in mouse Leydig cells.J Nutr Biochem 2010;In press.
©,2015 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited
Have you been ripped off by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.
The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.
See Jerry's book at http://www.jerrybrainum.com
Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com
Friday, June 4, 2010
Do antiaging nutrients work? Part two by Jerry Brainum
As discussed in part one, the only possible means of life extension deemed plausible by most gerontologists, or scientists who study aging, is caloric restriction (CR). This involves an average reduction in daily caloric intake of about 30-40 percent. CR works quite well in short-lived species, such as mice. Mice on diets that have a reduced calorie content of 30% or more, along with supplemented nutrients that may be in short supply with such food restriction, live up to 50 percent longer than their normally eating littermates. But more importantly, they seem to be protected from nearly all degenerative disease, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, type-2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. One theory of why CR works is that energy that is normally used to support growth and reproduction is instead shifted on a CR regime to mechanisms involving cellular survival. These would include such as aspects as increased heat shock protein production, and increased survival of cellular mitochondria.
It's difficult to say whether CR would work as well in humans as it does in animals and insects, which are much more short-lived compared to humans. Studies with monkeys, a close biological relative of humans, have shown that the monkeys on a 30% CR regime for 10 years or more also show a lack of the usual fatal diseases mentioned earlier. Humans who follow CR regimes consume mostly vegetables, and the results of their medical tests are impressive. They show low risk factors for all degenerative diseases, although they also appear gaunt, often feel cold, show poor wound healing, and may be infertile. From a muscular perspective, they are in a relative catabolic state. I say "relative" because they show paradoxical effects in this area. Their muscle mitochondria is better preserved, which maintains muscle with age. Interestingly, the levels of one anabolic hormone in CR humans, IGF-1, is similar to that of people who eat normally. In animals on CR regimes, IGF-1 levels decline significantly.
The reason that IGF-1 levels are maintained in CR humans is that they eat a good amount of protein, despite being on vegetarian diets. The levels of IGF-1 bear a direct relationship to both total caloric intake, as well as protein intake. But it turns out that a lack of protein may be the key to success in animals on CR regimes. It has to do with a protein synthesis signaling factor called mTOR that is stimulated by protein, or more specifically, amino acid intake. Animals that eat a lot of calories, but restrict protein intake, show the same benefits as CR in relation to life extension. mTor, which stands for "mammalian target of rapamycin," promotes cell growth, and diverts calories to be used for that purpose, rather than to maintain cellular longevity reactions. In fact, mTor seems to promote cancer, and drugs that interfere with Mtor activity appear to prevent cancer. Again, it relates to cell growth, and cancer is a process involving uncontrolled cell growth.
Studies with rapamycin, an antibiotic that was discovered on Easter island, show that it extends life in mice. It does so by blocking Mtor, But rapamycin is also a potent immune suppressant, so using it in humans would likely result in a shortened lifespan due to aquiring a disease through lack of immune response. Another drug that also interferes with Mtor is metformin. Metformin is a popular drug used to treat insulin resistance and diabetes. Various studies show that it seems to prevent many types of cancer, including both lung and pancreatic cancers though blocking Mtor cell stimulation. The implications of all this are bad news for anyone interested in building muscle.
Mtor plays a pivotal role in muscle protein synthesis reactions that result in increased muscle size and strength. The branched-chain amino acids provide most of their anabolic effects in muscle by interacting and promoting the activity of Mtor. The implications of the emerging studies show that consuming a high protein diet stimulates Mtor, which does good things for muscle building, but bad things for longevity. Other studies show that one amino acid in particular, methionine, may play a key role in longevity, since restricting it in animals leads to longevity in some species. But methionine is an essential amino acid, a major methyl donor. This means that it's involved in the synthesis of other nutrients, including creatine and choline. A lack of methionine can result in fatty liver, the first stage of liver failure. If the animal findings about Mtor and longevity prove true in humans, the best diet for longevity would involve a vegan diet with low to moderate protein intake. But attempting to build much muscle on such a diet would prove challenging, particularly if the diet also featured a CR design. Then the choice may come down to: do you want to live longer, or be more muscular?
It's difficult to say whether CR would work as well in humans as it does in animals and insects, which are much more short-lived compared to humans. Studies with monkeys, a close biological relative of humans, have shown that the monkeys on a 30% CR regime for 10 years or more also show a lack of the usual fatal diseases mentioned earlier. Humans who follow CR regimes consume mostly vegetables, and the results of their medical tests are impressive. They show low risk factors for all degenerative diseases, although they also appear gaunt, often feel cold, show poor wound healing, and may be infertile. From a muscular perspective, they are in a relative catabolic state. I say "relative" because they show paradoxical effects in this area. Their muscle mitochondria is better preserved, which maintains muscle with age. Interestingly, the levels of one anabolic hormone in CR humans, IGF-1, is similar to that of people who eat normally. In animals on CR regimes, IGF-1 levels decline significantly.
The reason that IGF-1 levels are maintained in CR humans is that they eat a good amount of protein, despite being on vegetarian diets. The levels of IGF-1 bear a direct relationship to both total caloric intake, as well as protein intake. But it turns out that a lack of protein may be the key to success in animals on CR regimes. It has to do with a protein synthesis signaling factor called mTOR that is stimulated by protein, or more specifically, amino acid intake. Animals that eat a lot of calories, but restrict protein intake, show the same benefits as CR in relation to life extension. mTor, which stands for "mammalian target of rapamycin," promotes cell growth, and diverts calories to be used for that purpose, rather than to maintain cellular longevity reactions. In fact, mTor seems to promote cancer, and drugs that interfere with Mtor activity appear to prevent cancer. Again, it relates to cell growth, and cancer is a process involving uncontrolled cell growth.
Studies with rapamycin, an antibiotic that was discovered on Easter island, show that it extends life in mice. It does so by blocking Mtor, But rapamycin is also a potent immune suppressant, so using it in humans would likely result in a shortened lifespan due to aquiring a disease through lack of immune response. Another drug that also interferes with Mtor is metformin. Metformin is a popular drug used to treat insulin resistance and diabetes. Various studies show that it seems to prevent many types of cancer, including both lung and pancreatic cancers though blocking Mtor cell stimulation. The implications of all this are bad news for anyone interested in building muscle.
Mtor plays a pivotal role in muscle protein synthesis reactions that result in increased muscle size and strength. The branched-chain amino acids provide most of their anabolic effects in muscle by interacting and promoting the activity of Mtor. The implications of the emerging studies show that consuming a high protein diet stimulates Mtor, which does good things for muscle building, but bad things for longevity. Other studies show that one amino acid in particular, methionine, may play a key role in longevity, since restricting it in animals leads to longevity in some species. But methionine is an essential amino acid, a major methyl donor. This means that it's involved in the synthesis of other nutrients, including creatine and choline. A lack of methionine can result in fatty liver, the first stage of liver failure. If the animal findings about Mtor and longevity prove true in humans, the best diet for longevity would involve a vegan diet with low to moderate protein intake. But attempting to build much muscle on such a diet would prove challenging, particularly if the diet also featured a CR design. Then the choice may come down to: do you want to live longer, or be more muscular?
©,2013 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited
Have you been ripped off by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.
The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.
See Jerry's book at http://www.jerrybrainum.com
Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Do antiaging nutrients work? Part one by Jerry Brainum
Countless books and articles are published that purport to offer techniques that delay the aging process. Most of these techniques involve control of excess oxidation in the body, hormonal manipulation, and dietary practices. But according to most scientists who study aging, aging is a multifactorial problem. What this means is that even if you successfully control one aspect of aging, another one will loom up and do you in. As the cliche says,"You can't fool Mother Nature." Or can you?
Some researchers say that the only true method to slow the aging process is caloric restriction (CR). The CR technique was first used in animals by Clive McCay in the 1930s. Since then, numerous studies have found that CR, often involving a reduction in daily caloric intake of 30-40%, reliably extends lifespan in a number of animal species, including fish, rats, mice, worms, insects, dogs and others. The data in humans are less clear. But ongoing experiments with primate relatives of humans, such as chimps, show that those placed on CR regimes do seem to age slower than then normally eating peers. More importantly, the CR chimps seem to be spared from the degenerative diseases that are the major killers, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, even Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. While it would be difficult to design a study focusing on the human efficacy of CR, many people have placed themselves on CR regimes in an effort to maintain health and boost longevity. This, despite the fact that there is no scientific evidence that CR will actually work in humans as it does in short-lived animal species. Nonetheless, studies of human CR advocates show that they have low bodyfat levels, low blood pressure and blood lipids, and other indicators that would point to a tendency not to die young. In truth, however, the key to their inproved health is probably not from the stringent food intake, but rather the fact that they are extremely lean. Having too much bodyfat as you age places you at risk for all the known killer and degenerative diseases. What's my proof? Show me people who have lived to 100 or more who are also obese. It just doesn't happen. Most such people without exception, tend to be small and light. In addition, a recent study of animals on CR diets showed that the animals lacked essential nutrients, a consequence of the lack of food. One of the tenents of CR is to ensure that while your restrict total caloric intake, you don't restrict the ingestion of essential nutrients.
But even if you supplement various nutrients that may be in short supply on a CR regime, you won't get enough protein to support various anabolic pathways in the body. This, besides the lack of total daily calories, is the reason why humans on CR show low levels of anabolic hormones, including testosterone and growth hormone. They also show lower thyroid hormone levels, along with increased levels of cortisol, which breaks down muscle. In short, humans on CR are in a catabolic state. They may live longer by avoiding the major killer diseases, but that life will tend to be in an energy-minimized state, making exercise a difficult, if not improbab proposition. What's paradoxical about this is that one effect of CR is that muscles stop aging, an effect that may be replicated with certain nutrient supplementation and exercise. Even worse, scientists who've studied CR suggest that CR may only add about 5-7 years to the average human lifespan, hardly a good trade off for decades of self-imposed starvation.
But some emerging animal studies, which I will discuss in detail in my next two blog entries, show that ingesting certain nutrients may improve the quality of life. This means that if you opt to ingest these nutrients, you may or may not live longer, but you will almost certainly enjoy life without weakness or infirmity, or loss of intellect and thinking ability. If you're interested, stay tuned right here.
Some researchers say that the only true method to slow the aging process is caloric restriction (CR). The CR technique was first used in animals by Clive McCay in the 1930s. Since then, numerous studies have found that CR, often involving a reduction in daily caloric intake of 30-40%, reliably extends lifespan in a number of animal species, including fish, rats, mice, worms, insects, dogs and others. The data in humans are less clear. But ongoing experiments with primate relatives of humans, such as chimps, show that those placed on CR regimes do seem to age slower than then normally eating peers. More importantly, the CR chimps seem to be spared from the degenerative diseases that are the major killers, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, even Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. While it would be difficult to design a study focusing on the human efficacy of CR, many people have placed themselves on CR regimes in an effort to maintain health and boost longevity. This, despite the fact that there is no scientific evidence that CR will actually work in humans as it does in short-lived animal species. Nonetheless, studies of human CR advocates show that they have low bodyfat levels, low blood pressure and blood lipids, and other indicators that would point to a tendency not to die young. In truth, however, the key to their inproved health is probably not from the stringent food intake, but rather the fact that they are extremely lean. Having too much bodyfat as you age places you at risk for all the known killer and degenerative diseases. What's my proof? Show me people who have lived to 100 or more who are also obese. It just doesn't happen. Most such people without exception, tend to be small and light. In addition, a recent study of animals on CR diets showed that the animals lacked essential nutrients, a consequence of the lack of food. One of the tenents of CR is to ensure that while your restrict total caloric intake, you don't restrict the ingestion of essential nutrients.
But even if you supplement various nutrients that may be in short supply on a CR regime, you won't get enough protein to support various anabolic pathways in the body. This, besides the lack of total daily calories, is the reason why humans on CR show low levels of anabolic hormones, including testosterone and growth hormone. They also show lower thyroid hormone levels, along with increased levels of cortisol, which breaks down muscle. In short, humans on CR are in a catabolic state. They may live longer by avoiding the major killer diseases, but that life will tend to be in an energy-minimized state, making exercise a difficult, if not improbab proposition. What's paradoxical about this is that one effect of CR is that muscles stop aging, an effect that may be replicated with certain nutrient supplementation and exercise. Even worse, scientists who've studied CR suggest that CR may only add about 5-7 years to the average human lifespan, hardly a good trade off for decades of self-imposed starvation.
But some emerging animal studies, which I will discuss in detail in my next two blog entries, show that ingesting certain nutrients may improve the quality of life. This means that if you opt to ingest these nutrients, you may or may not live longer, but you will almost certainly enjoy life without weakness or infirmity, or loss of intellect and thinking ability. If you're interested, stay tuned right here.
©,2012 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited
Have you been ripped off by supplement makers whose products don’t work as advertised? Want to know the truth about them? Check out Jerry Brainum's book Natural Anabolics, available at JerryBrainum.com.
The Applied Ergogenics blog is a collection of articles written and published by Jerry Brainum over the past 20 years. These articles have appeared in Muscle and Fitness, Ironman, and other magazines. Many of the posts on the blog are original articles, having appeared here for the first time. For Jerry’s most recent articles, which are far more in depth than anything that appears on this blog site, please subscribe to his Applied Metabolics Newsletter, at www.appliedmetabolics.com. This newsletter, which is more correctly referred to as a monthly e-book, since its average length is 35 to 40 pages, contains the latest findings about nutrition, exercise science, fat-loss, anti-aging, ergogenic aids, food supplements, and other topics. For 33 cents a day you get the benefit of Jerry’s 53 years of writing and intense study of all matters pertaining to fitness,health, bodybuilding, and disease prevention.
See Jerry's book at http://www.jerrybrainum.com
Want more evidence-based information on exercise science, nutrition and food supplements, ergogenic aids, and anti-aging research? Check out Applied Metabolics Newsletter at www.appliedmetabolics.com
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